Category: Issue 478
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Harvard Study Links Walnut Consumption to Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study has reportedly found that “frequent intake of walnuts was associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes in women.” An Pan, at al., “Walnut Consumption is Associated with Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women,” Journal of Nutrition, February 2013. Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health apparently…
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Energy Drink Maker Commissions Scientific White Paper on Ingredient Safety
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Rockstar, Inc. recently released a “scientific white paper” prepared for the energy drink maker by Intertek Cantox. Signed by University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Pharmacology Professor John Doull, a member of an “Expert Panel convened to evaluate the conditions of use of caffeine in Rockstar products,” the paper reviews scientific literature…
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Studies Seek to Pinpoint Animal-Human Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
A recent study has reportedly used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to retrospectively trace the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from animal to human for the first time. Ewan Harrison, et al., “Whole genome sequencing identifies zoonotic transmission of MRSA isolates with the novel mecA homologue mecC,” EMBO Molecular Medicine, April 2013. According to a March 25, 2013,…
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“Fast Food Forward” Stages Second Strike in Six Months
Fast Food Forward has apparently coordinated its second strike in six months as part of its long-term effort to unionize fast-food employees in New York City. According to media sources, hundreds of workers employed by approximately 65 fast-food restaurants throughout New York City walked off the job on April 4, 2013, to show support for…
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EC-Funded Research Suggests Approach to Insuring Nanomaterial Production Risk
In a Nature Nanotechnology commentary titled “The insurability of nanomaterial product risk,” business and scientific researchers funded by the European Commission (EC) propose a framework for the insurance industry to assess risks for purposes of issuing policies that will ensure the “commercial viability and long-term sustainability” of the nanotechnology industry. Noting that Lloyd’s of London…
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Rudd Center Report Focuses on Children’s Food and Beverage Marketing
Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity has issued a March 2013 report highlighting “where children and adolescents viewed the food and beverage advertisements they saw on television in 2011.” Using Nielsen data, the Rudd Center apparently sought to quantify “the average number of food and beverage TV ads viewed by age group…
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Coalition Urges USDA to Adopt COOL Rules
A coalition of more than 200 farm, consumer and environmental organizations has written a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support recently proposed changes to U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products. USDA proposed new labeling rules in March 2013 in response to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling…
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NEJM Publishes Commentary on Court’s Invalidation of NYC Sugary Drink Limits
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published two “Perspective” articles in its April 3, 2013, issue, commenting on the recent ruling by Judge Milton Tingling overturning the New York City Board of Health’s restrictions on the size of sugary drinks sold at certain city establishments—the “Portion Cap Rule.” Details about the ruling are…